Boat sale: procedure at Port Vauban
16 March 2026
When a boat moored at Port Vauban is sold, certain administrative steps must be followed to ensure proper management of the berth and the continuity of port contracts. This procedure defines the responsibilities of both the seller and the new owner.
The transfer of ownership can only be processed by the port once two mandatory documents have been received: the bill of sale and a valid insurance certificate issued in the name of the new owner. These documents officially confirm the change of ownership and ensure that the vessel is properly insured.
The new owner is billed starting from the purchase date stated on the bill of sale. This billing corresponds to the occupation of the berth by the vessel.
The seller, on the other hand, must comply with the notice period specified in their contract if they choose to terminate it. The duration of this notice period depends on the contract signed with the port. The buyer cannot benefit from this notice period, as it is unrelated to berth fees.
In practice, a temporary overlap of payments may occur. These charges remain independent from each other. On one side, the seller may be billed for the contractual notice period if the contract is terminated. On the other side, the new owner is billed for the berth starting from the date of purchase, provided the vessel is authorized to remain in the port under a reservation.